Orea Smith's Obituary
William Orea Smith went to be with our Lord on March 4, 2022. He died peacefully at home in Church Hill, TX surrounded by his beloved wife and family. He was born to R.L. and Mittie Lou Smith in New Salem, TX on September 21, 1932.
Orea was a proud Army Veteran. He loved his country and always flew a flag. After being honorably discharged from the Army he patiently waited to marry the love of his life and the prettiest lady he ever met, Rena Kate Perry in 1958. They had 3 children, Sondra, Stan and Cindy. He and Rena Kate built a home in Church Hill, where became the self proclaimed mayor of Pryor Hill. On this hill he grew his gardens and kept his cows. He worked for Eastman in Longview as an operator for 33 years. In his retirement he enjoyed the simple things in life; snack foods, spending time outdoors, and years of entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Orea was a Master gardener, a connoisseur of blue bell ice cream, expert fire builder, lover of recliner chairs. He and Mimi enjoyed countless mornings sitting on the porch with hot black coffee and watching sunrises. No animal went hungry when he was around, he was drivers ed teacher to many, hated TV commercials and loved the mute button. He single handedly (secretly) kept Salem cigarettes in business, the only graduate of Salem Tech university and he would always be seeing you in the funny papers and the best husband, daddy and Pawpaw anyone could have asked for
Orea was preceded by his parents and brother, Hank Smith. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Rena Kate. His bothers Cotton Smith, Dean and wife Linda. Daughters Sondra Costlow and husband Ralph, son Stan Smith and wife Debbie, daughter Cindy Acres and husband Paul. A multitude of grandchildren Matt and wife Mallory, Leslie Fontenot and husband James, Miranda Walker and husband Gerald, Ryan Bennett, Shea Dorman and husband Chet Chelsea Acres and Husband Ryan Blankenbaker, Natalie Acres and 13 very loved great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his dog Emma.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 8 at 10 am at Strong Cemetery. A visitation will be held the night before at Rader Funeral Home in Henderson between 5 and 7 pm.
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